Tottenham have lodged a formal complaint with the Premier League about the conduct of ESPN Brazil journalist Joao Castelo-Branco. The club were angered by a video in which the reporter sang offensive chants about Spurs with Arsenal fans.
According to The Times, Tottenham no longer want Castelo-Branco to work at their home matches.
That includes conducting interviews with head coach Roberto De Zerbi and the team's players.
In the video posted on social media, the journalist joined Arsenal fans who used an offensive word to describe Tottenham and sang about how much they hated their north London rivals.
The video was later deleted.
Castelo-Branco acknowledged that he had crossed a line and apologised.
I would like to apologise to the club for the video I recorded with Arsenal fans in Brazil, when we sang an offensive chant about Tottenham.
Given my work as a correspondent in the UK, I understand that I made a mistake.
The video was posted on the podcast's Instagram page and then appeared on mine too.
The journalist also acknowledged that he should have given more thought to the consequences.
I understand that this could have offended Tottenham and their fans.
I should have thought more carefully before taking part in the chant and considered how widely it could spread.
He said ESPN had been notified by the Premier League of Tottenham's displeasure, after which the parties agreed to delete the post.
I hope we can put this behind us.
I need to reconsider my behaviour and pay closer attention to the boundaries between my podcast persona and my professional work.
Castelo-Branco is also reported to have sent Tottenham a letter of apology and taken part in an online meeting with representatives of ESPN and the Premier League.
Despite that, the club told the league that they no longer consider it appropriate for the journalist to attend their matches.
Tottenham have no complaint against ESPN Brazil as a whole.
The Premier League is now in talks with the club and the broadcaster in an attempt to resolve the situation.
The final decision will rest with Tottenham, who must decide whether to admit the journalist to their next home match against Ipswich on 21 November.
